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2020 graduates to receive in-person commencement this fall

July 9, 2021
A moment from the Fall 2019 Commencement ceremony at Breslin Center on Dec. 14, 2019.
A moment from the Fall 2019 Commencement ceremony at Breslin Center on Dec. 14, 2019. —
Photo by Annie Barker | The State News

As a result of the 2020 graduate in-person commencement ceremony canceled due to COVID-19 — with a virtual commencement instead — Michigan State University will be holding an in-person commencement for 2020 graduates this September. Including all fall, spring and summer graduates, there were a total of 13,582 MSU graduates.

“We promised these graduates an in-person celebration and are proud of the contributions from faculty and staff across the university to make this a reality,” MSU Provost Teresa Woodruff said in a press release. “The 2020 and 2021 classes persevered through a time of unprecedented challenge. These celebrations are as much about these graduates’ fortitude and resilience as their academic accomplishments.”

On Sept. 17-20, all 2020 degree-level graduates, spring 2021 master’s, educational specialist and doctoral graduates will be invited to the ceremony as well, according to the press release. Furthermore, all degree-level summer 2021 graduates will have the option of attending the commencement in September or joining the fall 2021 ceremonies in December.

“Last year, we were all incredibly disappointed to not be able to celebrate together in person the incredible graduates,” MSU President Samuel Stanley said. "While we did present virtual options, we realize it was difficult for many of the graduates and their families to not gather together in person. We are proud of each and every Spartan graduate and look forward to the positive impacts they will make with their outstanding MSU education.”

All the ceremonies this September will take place at the Jack Breslin Student Events Center, located at 534 Birch Road in East Lansing, and will be live-streamed as well. The ceremonies can be viewed via MSU’s commencement website. Additional details will be shared closer to the events.

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